What is Gonal-F pen?

Gonal-f, with the generic name follitropin alpha, is a powder for injection beneath the skin. Doctors often prescribe this medication for fertility treatments because it is a human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), helping follicles to develop in the ovaries which can then produce eggs, or in the testes which can then produce sperm. Scientists produce Gonal-f in a laboratory using genetically modified ovarian cells from Chinese hamsters (CHO) then purify the FSH for human use. The FSH in Gonal-f acts similarly to the FSH from natural human sources.

Why do doctors prescribe this medication?

Doctors prescribe Gonal-f to treat functional infertility, in cases where the cause of infertility is not primary ovarian failure. Doctors use the drug to help stimulate the development of follicles in the ovaries, which can produce eggs. Doctors may also prescribe this medicine to treat male infertility when the cause is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which is when the testes do not produce enough sex hormones. This could be caused by a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.

How does it work?

In both men and women, the follitropin alpha hormone (FSH) in Gonal-f injections help to develop follicles. In women, the follicles produce eggs, and in men, the follicles produce sperm. Once these follicles are present, the eggs or sperm can mature and be released for fertilization. Increasing the number of follicles can increase the number of eggs available, increasing the chance of conception.

When and how to inject?

Your fertility doctor will tell you how much Gonal-f to inject, how often, and how to inject the fertility drug. You will likely be told to inject it into your skin, on your abdomen, close to but at least one inch away from your belly button, or on your upper arm or upper leg. Changing the injection site each day helps reduce discomfort.

After washing your hands with soap and water, wipe the top of the Gonal-f vial with alcohol, remove the syringe needle, and slowly inject the bacteriostatic water into the vial of Gonal-f powder. Do not shake the vial, and be sure to dispose of this needle. The next step is to wipe the Gonal-f vial stopper with alcohol again, carefully remove a needle cap, and insert the needle into the vial. Turn the vial upside down, with the needle pointing up, and slowly pull back on the plunger of the syringe. You should fill the syringe to slightly higher than the mark for the dose your doctor prescribed. You can then adjust the plunger slowly to the correct dose, removing air bubbles at the same time. Next, remove the needle from the Gonal-f vial and inject it according to your doctor's instructions.

Side effects

The more common negative effects include

pain and redness at the injection site as well as breast pain and tenderness,

nausea

vomiting

headache

bloating

mild stomach or abdominal pain

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any rare but serious side effects like

swollen ankles, hands, or feet

swelling, pain, or redness of the calf muscles

numbness

paleness

cold sensations in the arms, legs, hands, and feet

unusual uterine or vaginal bleeding

shortness of breath

chest pain

weakness on one side of the body

slurred speech

vision changes, or severe headache

An allergic reaction to this medication is rare, but seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction like

trouble breathing

severe dizziness

rash, and itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat

During or after injectable treatment, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) could cause fluid to build up in the chest, stomach, and heart area, so seek medical attention if you experience side effects like

difficulty or pain when breathing

severe pain or swelling in the pelvic area

a change in the amount of urine

sudden or rapid weight gain

severe nausea and vomiting

These may not be all the possible side effects.

Precautions

You can keep the liquid Gonal-F refrigerated for up to 28 days, but after this, dispose of the fertility drug. Store away from light and do not freeze the drug. Be sure to safely dispose of all needles as well and keep the medication and needles out of the reach of children. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor and do not take a double dose.

Other medications prescribed with it

Although the FSH in Gonal-f helps to stimulate the ovaries to produce follicles, it does not stimulate the release of eggs. For this, Gonal-f treatments are usually followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections which mature the follicle and stimulate ovulation. Fertility monitors and ovulation tests can help track fertility and determine the best time to conceive. In men, doctors may prescribe Gonal-f along with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to stimulate sperm production.

What is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a medical condition in which there is a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus so the testes of men or ovaries of women do not produce enough sex hormones, or none at all. This medical condition can be caused by a genetic defect, chronic inflammation or infections, severe stress, rapid weight gain or loss, iron overload, the long-term use of or high doses of opioid or steroid medication, or damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus from injury, surgery, tumor, radiation, or infection. When the pituitary gland does not release hormones like FSH, either because it does not receive a chemical signal from the hypothalamus or for other reasons, follicles do not develop. Because follicles have not developed, eggs or sperm are not produced, causing infertility. Fertility drugs like Gonal-f can help follicles to develop despite problems with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Where to order

The high cost of fertility treatments can put added stress on couples seeking a child of their own. We can help lower the cost of fertility treatments by making medicine available to you at Canadian prices. Talk to your fertility doctor, and if they feel that Gonal-f pen is the best fertility drug for you, return to us to fill your prescription. Simply order online directly from our website or call our customer service hotline to order your fertility drugs, and one of our partner pharmacies will deliver your fertility drugs to your home, with free shipping, so you can start your family.